Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 34

Helpful thoughts:

• The final chapter of Deuteronomy, the chapter Moses didn’t write…
• The names of what Moses saw in the Promised Land are given as what they would come to be known as after Israel settled in the land.
• Moses didn’t die of old age. He didn’t have any physical illness. He died because the Lord decided it was time.  God gave Moses the strength he needed to do everything God gave him to do (even to hike up Mount Nebo), and when it was time, it was time.

Questions to consider:

1. While we might be sad to hear that Moses didn’t get to lead Israel into the Promised Land, what did he get to see the moment his eyes closed in death (2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21)?  Why should we assume Moses was good with God’s plan as soon as he was in the presence of the Lord?
2. Moses was not a sinless man.  So what made him so special?  Or, who made him so special?  And for what purpose?  How did the life of Moses bring great glory to God?
3. What was Moses’ title in the beginning of verse 5?  What did he want to hear God say, just as we long to hear when our day comes when we see our Savior face to face (Matthew 25:23)?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 33

Helpful thoughts:

• Knowing it was his time, Moses followed the tradition of the patriarchs of Israel and spoke blessing to them before he died.
• Jeshurun (verses 5 and 26) is a poetic name for Israel.  It is used in the song from God in chapter 32 in an ironic way (32:15).  Jeshurun means, “the upright one.”  Israel would not always be upright…but Moses urged them to be in light of who their God was!
• Moses makes it clear, the true king of Israel is the Lord and the blessing of the people comes through their great King!

Questions to consider:

1. What time does Moses seem to be speaking of in these blessings?  What is his hope for Israel?  What would continue to be after he was gone?
2. Why does the “story” continue?  Ultimately, whose narrative is this we are reading?  How does understanding who the main character of the Bible is help us to read and understand it better?
3. What aspects of verses 26-29 can all of God’s redeemed people claim and enjoy?  Happy are we, a people saved by the Lord!

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 32

Helpful thoughts:

• God told Moses to give a song to Israel as a witness against them in the previous chapter.  Here it is.
• The song probably feels long to us, but it’s very direct.  Israel had no reason to be confused about what God was saying and Moses had no doubt in telling them how important it was they obey the Lord (“For it is no empty word for you, but your very life.” – verse 47).
• After all that Moses had done, he still fell short of the glory of God.  He was not the Messiah.  Moses needed a savior too.  Jesus is that Savior.

Questions to consider:

1. Are there any aspects to what we are reading in this chapter and the last that seem shocking to you?  How is the directness and honesty of these passages different than the way people tend to talk with each other?  Did this song seem unkind?  Why so?
2. What is God telling the people (and Moses)?  How is what God was communicating right and truly helpful for those who have an ear to hear (Matthew 11:15)?
3. Why is it important that the Bible be honest about Moses’ failure to achieve his own righteousness?  If Moses was perfect and didn’t need saving from his sin, what would become of the gospel message?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 31

Helpful thoughts:

• Moses announces to the people the completion of his service as their leader and names Joshua as God’s chosen man to take leadership in his place.  In this announcement, Moses makes it abundantly clear that it was the Lord who had led Israel and it would be the Lord who continued to lead them to victory in the Promised Land.
• At God’s command through Moses, the priests were to read the Law to all of Israel as they assembled for the Feast of Booths (in the fall) every seventh year.
• God did not hide the truth from Moses before his death, Israel was going to fail.
  • Moses did not hide the truth from the Levites, they were stubborn and were going to fail.
  • In the midst of all this acknowledgment of the looming failure of Israel, the Lord commands Joshua, “Be strong and courageous…I will be with you.”  Joshua’s confidence was never to be in Israel’s ability to succeed, but in God’s faithfulness to His promises.

Questions to consider:

1. How do you think Moses might have felt to hear this announcement from the Lord?  Why would he probably not have been surprised by it?
2. How would it have been difficult for Joshua to be strong and courageous, knowing that the nation he was leading would fail to remain faithful to the Lord?  In whom was his strength and courage to be found, the people or God?
3. How can this perspective help you to remain strong and courageous today?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 30

Helpful thoughts:

• The eternally omniscient God knew Israel would experience blessing and curse (They would rebel against Him).  He also foretold their repentance, restoration, future obedience and blessing.
  • The obedience of any people, or any person, requires the grace of God (verse 6).
• The idea of the “circumcision of the heart” (God graciously changing His people’s hearts, is referenced again in Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Romans 2:25-29 and Colossians 2:11.
• God revealed His Word to His people and by grace through faith, they were enabled to follow the Lord (Romans 10:6-8).  To choose God is to choose life.  To choose God is to love God.

Questions to consider:

1. How far into the future would the original audience of this passage of Scripture have naturally been thinking?  How far into the future do we see examples of God doing these things throughout the rest of Scripture?  In what way could this chapter yet be fulfilled in the future?
2. In what way is our obedience directly related to God’s free gift of grace, resulting in a change of heart?  How does this relate to the gospel and our salvation?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 29

Helpful thoughts:

• The covenant is reviewed with the generation of Israel that would enter the promised land.
  • All but Moses, Joshua and Caleb had been born since the exodus from Egypt.  However, Moses speaks to them as their national identity.  Israel had seen the Lord’s mighty hand free them from Egypt and Israel was about to renew her covenant and enter into the Promised Land.
• Israel would never be defeated because other gods were more powerful.  Israel would never be defeated because other armies had more men and greater strength.  Israel would only ever be fully defeated because they abandoned their covenant with the Lord.
• Verse 29 carries a significant message.  There are things we do not know about God.  There were certainly things Israel did not know that have been revealed to us through Christ and the New Covenant (e.g. Ephesians 3:4-6)!  But, what God had revealed to Israel was sufficient for what they were called to do.  They had everything they needed to know to trust and obey.

Questions to consider:

1. How does it make sense for Moses to review the covenant with all these people who were not present at the time the covenant was first implemented?  How does it also make sense to include all these people with those who had gone before them?  In our modern western mindset, how might we miss the aspect of identifying together with community that is assumed in many places throughout scripture?
2. With whom are you identified as a follower of Christ, set apart from the rest of the world?  Who are our people?  How does the local church provide this identity?
3. If the Word of God is sufficient to teach us all we need to know for salvation, sanctification, life and godliness, then how should we approach the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3-4)?  How should it inform our thinking and living?  How should we measure and evaluate other forms of “revelation” people desire or promote?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 28

Helpful thoughts:

• The theme of blessings and curses on Israel as they do or do not follow the law continues.  The blessings are wonderful and the curses are utterly grim.
• These curses are a reversal of all that God had committed to Israel in their covenant with Him.
• The northern kingdom of Israel would fall to Assyria in 2 Kings 17 and the kingdom of Judah would fall to Babylon in 2 Kings 25.  Even what seems like the worst of these curses happened in the history of Israel (2 Kings 6:24-31).

Questions to consider:

1. As overwhelming and terrifying as much of this chapter might be, what is abundantly clear about what Israel needed to do as a people?  Whether all of them liked it or not, who were they to follow?  Who alone was worthy of their worship?
2. From our finite perspective, this chapter may come across as a threat (Obey God, or else!).  Knowing that other nations around the world have suffered in the same ways, what is the true motive of this message?  How is God revealing truth in love to His covenant people in these blessings and curses?
3. What is the “blessings and curses” message of the gospel of Jesus Christ?  What is already true of every person in their sin?  What must a person do to be saved (Acts 16:30-31)?  What are the blessings of salvation in Christ?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 27

Helpful thoughts:

• Having articulated what was needed from the law, Moses gave instructions for how Israel was to affirm their commitment to the covenant once they entered the land.
  • A monument was to be set up which contained the writing of the law in a way that was easy to read.
  • An altar was to be built on which the people could offer sacrifices.
  • An event was to take place in which the people confirmed Israel’s intention to keep the law.
• Mount Ebal and Mount Gerazim are on the northern and southern sides of the city of Shechem.
• The invoking of cursings was beyond a means of accountability.  This was not Israel agreeing to hold one another accountable to the covenant.  They were inviting God’s judgment on their secret sins for the sake of the purity of the nation.

Questions to consider:

1. Why would it be so important to list off sins that no one else could find out about?  What kinds of sins can we be most prone to fear committing?  Why?
2. Why is being a Christian so much more than keeping up appearances in front of other people?  Who is it you are truly seeking to please and glorify?  How would your life, fears, and actions evidence this?
3. Is there a sin which you have committed for which Christ did not die?  What does God’s omniscience (Knowing all things eternally) guarantee concerning the sufficiency of Christ’s suffering at the cross for our sin (John 19:30)?

Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 26

Helpful thoughts:

• Today’s chapter is the last in the book of Deuteronomy that gives specific laws for Israel to follow.
• The final command given encapsulates the big picture of God’s redemption of Israel and His continued care and provision for the people, the offering of first fruits and tithes.
• The covenant between God and Israel included their loyalty and obedience to Him and His care for, protection and provision for them.  These truths were to be recounted by the people for their remembrance and worship.

Questions to consider:

1. What does it mean that Israel was to keep these commands with all their heart and all their soul (Verse 16)?  What does God desire (and what does He know we need) beyond simple rote obedience?
2. What are God’s people to Him (Verse 18)?  What does it matter for you to know that as a child of God, as a member of His family and kingdom, you are a treasured possession of Almighty God?
3. It would seem that the final phrase, “you shall be a people holy to the Lord” (Verse 19) should be a command, but it’s given as a promise!  What promise was God making there to Israel?  How is that promise true for the church today (and in the future)?  What is your identity and purpose in this world?